Is Crizotinib included in medical insurance?

Crizotinib (Crizotinib) is indicated for the treatment of ALK-positive metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) or relapsed or refractory systemic Anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL) is also indicated for the treatment of unresectable, relapsed or refractory inflammatory anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK)-positive myofibroblastic tumor (IMT).

Crizotinib has an aminopyridine structure and acts as a protein kinase inhibitor by competitively binding to the ATP binding pocket of the target kinase. Approximately 4% of NSCLC patients have chromosomal rearrangements that generate a fusion gene between EML4 ("echinoderm microtubule-associated protein-like 4") and ALK ("anaplastic lymphoma kinase"), which results in constitutive kinase activity that contributes to oncogenesis and appears to drive the malignant phenotype. Crizotinib inhibits the c-Met/hepatocyte growth factor receptor (HGFR) tyrosine kinase, which has been implicated in the development of many other histological forms of malignancy.

After the original drug Crizotinib was launched in China, it has been included in Category B medical insurance and can only be reimbursed for patients who meet the indications. The price of each box may be around 15,000 RMB. The Turkish original version of crizotinib sold overseas may cost more than 10,000 RMB per box (the price may fluctuate due to the exchange rate), which is expensive. There are also cheaper generic crizotinib drugs available overseas. The ingredients are basically similar to those of the original drugs sold domestically and abroad. For example, the price of 250mg*60 tablets produced by a Bangladesh pharmaceutical factory may be more than 2,000 yuan per box (the price may fluctuate due to exchange rates).